Artist Epica

Dutch prog-metal band Epica appeals to fringe-ish headbangers that would probably bristle at this bombastic sextet being described merely as prog-metal. (More specifically, Epica performs a hybrid of power and symphonic metal.) Aside from its stuttering, pile-driving guitars and majestic, almost comically sweeping string parts, Epica’s most distinctive sonic calling card is the contrasting vocals of the bellowing Simone Simons and growling Mark Jansen, which come together for something almost approaching harmony. All in all, the band name is clearly supposed to be taken at face value, which is made abundantly clear on 2009’s Design Your Universe.  

Updated 01/25/2010